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Glitter Germs Science Activity
The Living Environment3.4.9 Explain that some diseases are caused by germs and some are not. Note that diseases caused by germs may be spread to other people. Also understand that washing hands with soap and water reduces the number of germs that can get into the body or that can be passed on to other people. • http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_3_4_9.pdf
Definitions • Diseases- an abnormal bodily condition of a living plant or animal that interferes with functioning and can usually be recognized by signs and symptoms : ILLNESS • Germs- Some kids may think that germs are bugs or cooties or other gross stuff. Actually, germs are tiny organisms, or living things, that can cause disease. Germs are so small and sneaky that they creep into our bodies without being noticed. In fact, germs are so tiny that you need to use a microscope to see them. When they get in our bodies, we don't know what hit us until we have symptoms that say we've been attacked! We will be using glitter in the place of germs today to show how they are spread.
How do we get diseases? Germs are one way diseases can be spread from person to person. Our bodies are pretty amazing. Day after day, they work hard — digesting food, pumping blood and oxygen, sending signals from our brains and our nerves, and much more. But there is a group of tiny invaders that can make our bodies sick — they're called germs.
How do think people get germs? - Germs are spread/passed from people How are germs spread from person to person? Most germs are spread through the air in sneezes, coughs, or even breaths. Germs can also spread in sweat, saliva, and blood. Some pass from person to person by touching something that is contaminated, like shaking hands with someone who has a cold and then touching your own nose. So the best way to protect yourself from germs is to steer clear of the things that can spread them.
What Types of Germs Are There? • Germs are found all over the world, in all kinds of places. There are four major types of germs: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. They can invade plants, animals, and people, and sometimes they make us sick.
Types of Germs • Bacteria (say: back-teer-ee-uh) are tiny, one-cell creatures that get nutrients from their environments in order to live. In some cases that environment is a human body. Bacteria can reproduce outside of the body or within the body as they cause infections. Some infections bacteria cause include sore throats (tonsillitis or strep throat), ear infections, cavities, and pneumonia (say: new-mo-nyuh). • But not all bacteria are bad. Some bacteria are good for our bodies — they help keep things in balance. Good bacteria live in our intestines and help us use the nutrients in the food we eat and make waste from what's left over. We couldn't make the most of a healthy meal without these important helper germs! Some bacteria are also used by scientists in labs to produce medicines and vaccines (say: vak-seens).
Types of germs continued…… • Viruses (say: vy-rus-iz) need to be inside living cells to grow and reproduce. Most viruses can't survive very long if they're not inside a living thing like a plant, animal, or person. Whatever a virus lives in is called its host. When viruses get inside people's bodies, they can spread and make people sick. Viruses cause chickenpox, measles, flu, and many other diseases. Because some viruses can live for a while on something like a doorknob or countertop, be sure to wash your hands regularly! • Fungi (say: fun-guy) are multi-cell (made of many cells), plant-like organisms. Unlike other plants, fungi cannot make their own food from soil, water, and air. Instead, fungi get their nutrition from plants, people, and animals. They love to live in damp, warm places, and most fungi are not dangerous. An example of something caused by fungi is athlete's foot, that itchy rash that teens and adults sometimes get between their toes. • Protozoa (say: pro-toh-zoh-uh) are one-cell organisms that love moisture and often spread diseases through water. Some protozoa cause intestinal infections that lead to diarrhea (runny poop), nausea, and belly pain.
How Can We Protect Ourselves From Germs? • Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cover your mouth when you cough to keep from spreading germs. • Remember the two words germs fear — soap and water. Washing your hands well and often is the best way to beat these tiny warriors. Wash your hands every time you cough or sneeze, before you eat or prepare foods, after you use the bathroom, after you touch animals and pets, after you play outside, and after you visit a sick relative or friend. • Using tissues for your sneezes and sniffles is another great weapon against germs. But don't just throw tissues on the floor to pick up later. Toss them in the trash and, again, wash your hands!
Glitter Germs Activity • Today we are going to investigate the effect that hand washing has on the number of germs on your hands ***Are you ready to learn how you can get rid of germs by yourself?
Step 1 • I will be walking around the room placing a small amount of lotion on your hands. • Once I have done this, rub your hands together so the lotion disappears into your skin.
Step 2 • Then I will come around the room and sprinkle glitter on your hands. • Rub your hands together once I go on to the next student. ***** The glitter represents germs*****
Groups 1 and 3 • Go to the sink and try your best to rub off the glitter with dry paper towels. • Before you do this, look at the glitter on your hands before you wipe your hands and then after you are finished. Please show the class the before and after as well.
Think about the results…. • Do your hands have the same amount of glitter, more glitter, or less glitter?
Groups 2 and 4 • Please go to the sink and wash your hands with “cold” water. Before you wash your hands, show the class your hands before you wash them and then after.
Groups 1 and 3 • Go to the sink and wash your hands with soap and “warm” water. • Show the class what your hands look like before you wash your them and then after.
Groups 1 and 3 • Please hold up your hands for the class to see them again. • Do their hands have the same amount of glitter, more glitter, or less glitter?
Groups 1 and 3 • Repeat the process again. Wash your hands with soap and “warm” water. Show the class your hands before and after you wash them for the second time. • Once you are finished….All groups should gather in the middle of the classroom in a circle for our discussion.
Questions…… We experimented with three ways to get rid of our glitter germs. Which way got rid of the least amount of glitter germs? Which method got rid of the most glitter germs? ***Why is washing your hands so important? Do you understand why some diseases are caused by germs. Why do you think we used glitter?
Assessment Questions • Name one type of germ and explain what you learned about it. • Name two ways we can protect ourselves from germs. • What do we need to do to get germs off our hands? How did this experiment help you know that? • When should you wash your hands? • Who do you think would get sick more often: A person who washes his/her hands with cold water or a person who washes his/her hands with soap and warm water? Explain how you know that.
